Mantas of Makunudhoo

May 2022

In March 2022, The Manta Trust team embarked on an expedition to one of the most remote northern islands of the Maldives - Haa Dhaalu, Makunudhoo.

The team spent one month on a fishing boat, searching for manta rays, and documenting the reefs of Makunudhoo. They collected identification photographs, conducted aerial surveys, deployed remote underwater video and time-lapse cameras, and interviewed fishermen to discover local historical knowledge on this species.

The most rewarding part of the trip, for the team, was being able to work so closely with the Makunudhoo community. They ran outreach and education sessions with local stakeholders such as council members, police, and the women’s development committee. They also conducted marine education classes in the school and took community members swimming with mantas for the first time.

The Manta Trust would like to say a huge thank you to the community of Makunudhoo for their hospitality, kindness, and wealth of local knowledge. We would also like to thank Carl F. Bucherer for funding this trip and continuously supporting The Manta Trust!